camp gives back 2016

Wow! Can you believe it? ‘Camp’ Camp 2016 is less than two weeks away! Very soon, a near sold-out crowd of approximately 240 people from across the U.S., as well as Canada, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and the U.K., will all be converging in southwestern Maine, each & every one ready to have the best time ever! An LGBT vacation like no other, our 20th anniversary season will be a week full of summer camp activities, fun evening social events, and smiles & laughter with new friends. Fifty-seven of this year’s Campers have been with us for an unbelievable 10 years or more, including this year’s 15th-Year Campers: Susan “Clink” C. of Roslindale, MA, Sue E. of Medford, MA, Jon G. of Washington, DC, Gail G. of Silver Spring, MD, and Karl O. of Amenia, NY. We will be donating $100 in each of their names to the It Gets Better Project in honor of their noteworthy Camp anniversary, a tradition we began back in 2011 when we had our first-ever 15th-Year Campers.

In recognition of our commitment to welcome, embrace, and support all members of the LGBT community, we are pleased to announce that the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is the beneficiary of this summer’s Camp Gives Back campaign.

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is the nation’s leading social justice organization for transgender equality. NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who recognized the urgent need for policy and cultural change to advance trans equality. With the support of a nationwide community of transgender people, allies, and advocates, NCTE has an extensive record of advancing life-saving change at the local, state and federal levels. NCTE is also compiling the report from its U.S. Trans Survey where 28,000 trans people were asked about the discrimination they’ve faced. Beyond publicizing these results, NCTE is training trans people to share their story with their community and the media, thereby giving a much-needed voice to the trans community.

If you are attending Camp this summer, you can help support the NCTE by just buying an extra Camp t-shirt or souvenir or two (or three) in the Camp Store. You’ll also be able to make additional donations to the NCTE via your Cashless ‘Camp’ Camp account. If you aren’t able to join us this summer, we suggest that you pop over to the NCTE’s website and make a donation. (Be sure to note that you were referred by ‘Camp’ Camp.) Won’t you join us and make a donation today?

With Campers from across the U.S. plus Canada, Geoff’s 2015 Fuchsia Rainbow Group proves that our Campers are not only geographically diverse and multigenerational, but they also represent the entire spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity. Truly, LGBT! Many of our Campers say it’s one of the things they love the most about ‘Camp’ Camp.

socialize

gab

It is the most positive experience I participate in and makes my year!

Michael S., Astoria, NY

It’s like I’ve been recharged. …It is the one place where I can be my truest self. You can’t put a price on that.

Michael G., Brooklyn, NY

I’ve never had as much fun anywhere as I do at Camp.

Linda R., Manchester, NH

The openness of everyone’s attitudes and acceptance was intoxicating.

Brandon W., New Orleans, LA

I keep returning for the community and sense of peace, love, and all around decency.

Lyndsey F., Santa Rosa, CA

I’m not a terribly social person and large groups can make me uncomfortable. That being said, I never felt safer in a group of people so quickly before.

Shelley D., Nashville, TN

All the evening activities were outstanding. So much fun!

Glynn G., Lowell, MA

I love this place!

Stephanie V., Exeter, NH

It’s a week I wait for every year.

Michael L., Tucson, AZ

This place changed my life. I am a better person because of Camp.

Geoff L., Los Angeles, CA

I learned so much and created some beautiful things in my jewelry and pottery classes. We are very fortunate to have such amazing teachers in all of the activities at Camp.

Barry R., New York, NY

Everyone was so friendly when we first arrived. I was hooked! …’Camp’ Camp feels like home.

Lisa M., Wallingford, CT

I love the Camp experience and always feel rejuvenated after attending.

Sherron W., Edison, NJ

I was most surprised at how welcoming, caring, and lovely each and every Camper and Staff member was. …Thank you for continuing to offer this wonderful environment after all these years.

Sage W., New Orleans, LA

I’ve always felt welcome and included at Camp, perhaps more there than in many other places at home.

Jen V., Cincinnati, OH

I met some really amazing and very special people that I otherwise would have never crossed paths with. My heart doubled in size in just one week.

Gina Y., Houston, TX

It is the most fun I have all year. And I love the people.

Michelle R., Brighton, MA

Totally fabulous. …The spirit of Camp is so joyful and fun and silly and accepting all at once.

Daphne B., Hamden, CT

It’s affordable and awesome!

Samantha A., Norfolk, VA

I’ve been to festivals and conventions, and even camp as a kid, and been overwhelmed by the number of people, and felt lost in the shuffle. That didn’t happen here! Returning Campers and Staff, as well as other first-years, were very friendly. I never felt alone or isolated.

Nicole Y., Ann Arbor, MI

There is no place on earth like ‘Camp’ Camp, and I feel renewed and light-hearted there in ways I don’t feel at home or in any other community.

Debbie D., Holden, ME

…one of the most supportive and LGBT-friendly environments I have ever experienced.

Warren H., New York, NY

With all the talk about “community,” I’ve never experienced a feeling of gay community anywhere but at ‘Camp’ Camp. That alone is enough of a draw for me.

Bill S., Norristown, PA

The food was outstandingly amazing! …I loved that there were so many vegan options.

IlanaRei G., Malden, MA

I love the grounds; they are so beautiful and serene. It made it easy to do nothing and just enjoy the nature sounds.

Linda B., Cincinnati, OH

I’ve traveled a lot, and I’ve never found another place as warm and welcoming as ‘Camp’ Camp; not even close!

David P., Endicott, NY

You have built a wonderful community. …I came away very impressed.

Estelle D., Cambridge, MA

I just love Camp. It gives me the opportunity to totally & literally unplug. No cell phone, no computer… total vacation time for me.

Thanks for continuing to make ‘Camp’ Camp a place for us to relax, unwind and be ourselves!!

Scott T., Chicago, IL

Loved it!

Todd B., Greensboro, NC

Cheers to all who put in such effort to make a safe, wonderful, and fun environment. Flawlessly executed direction and organization. …Extremely well done.

Heather L., Brookline, NH

Camp really is the “Best Time Ever!” Sounds corny, but it’s true.

Wendy H., Raleigh, NC

Everything was amazing!!!

Gary E., Ogdensburg, NY

All the important things, the take-aways, I got from summer camp as a child remain still as an adult. I get a chance to make new friends, try new things, and rekindle my spirit.

Mary Beth K., Columbia, SC

My friends never stop talking about it, and now I know why!

Jason S., Brooklyn, NY

The diversity within our community is astounding, and I feel that everyone was welcome…and especially appreciate that the whole age spectrum of our community was included, from the energetic (sometimes scared) kids to our esteemed elders.

Lori M., Merriam, KS

Thank you all for the gift of a wonderful week. I appreciate your patience, care, generosity, understanding, attention to detail, hard work, creativity, openness, effort, and LOVE!

Thom H., Salem, MA

The food was fantastic throughout the week, and there’s always lots of fun things to do all day long.

Tony J., Tampa, FL

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